Changeable exhibitor.



I. W. EDWARDS.

CHANGEABLE EXHIBITOR. 7

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 5, 1912.

.1 054 OQ8 j Patentd Feb. 25,1913.

5 8HEETS-SHEET 1.

Milly WE'dwards.

LVVE/VTOR.

5' 1 I V! TNE S5155:

A TTORNE I I. W. EDWARDS.

GHANGEABLE EXHIBITOR. APPLICATION TILED FEB.5, 1912.

1,054,098. Patented Feb. 25, 191-3.

' .5 SHEETSSHEET 2.

. "e 59 r-r v Q m 1\ 'I 1 ww -II'ZJI IZ9 Wfidwaras, WITNESSES: INVEIVYOR ATTORNEY I I. EDWARDS.

OHANGEABLE EXHIBITOR.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.5,1912.

Patented Feb. 25, 1913.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

built wfidwards :V/ 7 AC; $3155: VENTO I. W. EDWARDS.

GHANGEABLE EXHIBITOR,

APPLI GATION FILED FEB. 5, 1912. v 054L098. Patented Feb. 25, 1913.

5 SHEETS-$311331 4.

'IIIIIIIIW/IIIIIM Kai IN V E NTOR Y may Wli'dwards,

WITNESSES IRVING W. EDWARDS, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

, GHANGEABLE EXHIBITOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 25, 1913.

Application filed Febrnary 5, 1912. Serial No. 675,483.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IRVING W. EDWARDS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Changeable Exhibitors, of whichthe following is a specification.

My invention appertains to that general class of inventions known by'thegeneric title of changeable exhibitors An important object of theinvention is to provide an advertisement exhibitor, of this character,wherein an intermittently-movable shutter is employed, timed in itsmovements relative to the traveling sign-body whereby individualpanels-are successivel exposed to view for a longer period than ispossible with a stationary shutter, as has been commonly employedheretofore. In other words, ordinarily, in changeable advertisementexhibitors, the advertisementstrip or body travels across a stationaryopening, so that the public sees the full'area of the advertisement fora moment or so, only, the remainder of the time the openin in theshutter being occupied by parts '0 two. sections or panels of the strip.But, with my invention, one advertisingj'section, only, is visible at atime, and for a considerable period, comparatively speaking.

Another object of the invention is to. pro vide a device of this naturewherein the traveling sign-body or apparatus and theintermittently-movable shutter, correlated as aforesaid, are actuatedbyfelectricallybonv trolled instrumentalities.

Subsidiary objects relate to improvement in specific features of theapparatns,whereby the machine or mechanism, as an entirety, presents themaximum of simplicity, efiiciency and durability, with the minimumconsumption of power;

Certain objects, not specifically enumerated hereinabove, will appear asthe specification proceeds and the nature 'of the inven= tion more fullyappears.

In the accompanying drawing, I have illustrated the basic-type, orpreferred form, of my invention, together with certain modificatio-ns,and in these drawings like reference-characters indicate correspondingparts throughout the. specification.

Briefiydes'cribed: Figure I is a side elethe outer case or Fig. III is asection taken on vation of the operative parts of the basic type, orpreferred form, of my invention,

boxing (in which the operative parts are disposed) being showninvertical section; Fig. II is a fragmentary top plan ,view of thetraveling sign-mechanism; the line 0%, Fig. II; Fig. IV is a sectiontaken on the line d-a, Fig. III; Fig. V is a on the line cva, Fig. I;Figs. VI and VII are sections taken on the lines 6-6, and frespectively, of Fig. V; in Figs. V, VI and I only so much of thesign-panels are shown (and these fragmentarily) as is nec-.

essary to an understanding of the operation of the shutter; Fig. VIII isa diagrammatic view ofthe solenoid-motor circuit; Fig. DC is adiagrammatic view, showing a method of connecting rotary motor drivenmachines, so as to use, in the case of a series motor, the illuminatinglamps for starting resistance; Fig. X is afragment-ary section taken onthe line 6-6, Fig. I, certain parts being broken away; F'g. XI is asection taken on the line gg, Fig. X; Fig. XII 1s a fragmentarysectional detail view of the dashpot and.

plunger Fig. XIII is an enlarged section taken on the line iwz'; Fig. X;Fig. XIV is a fragmentary; partly; sectional view, showing the use ofaro'tary motor and'its operative connections to the sign-travelingInechanisin for actuating the latter, said rotary motor and itsoperative connections bein a substitution and alternative for thesolenoids and their operative connections to the signtravelingmechanism, as shown in the prior views; only such parts as are essentialtoan understanding of the transmission of the motor-energy to themovable sign-mechanism being shown in Fig. XIV; Fig. XV is a fragmentarysection taken on the line 7L'h, Fig. XIV; Fig. [VI is a horizontalsection of a modification, which I term my cylinder-type machine, thesection being taken just below the upper cover of said cylinder machineFigs. XVII and XVIII'are sections taken, respectively, on thelines w n,and jj,' XIX is a section taken on the line 7c-lc, and also on the lineK-K, Fig. XVII; Fig. XX is a section taken on the line mm, Fig. XVII;Fig. XXI is a section taken on the line Z-Z, Fig. XX, with the lampsomitted for the sake of clearness of illustration of the other parts;Fig; XXII is a section section taken XXIII; Fig. XXVH is afragmentarydetail view, in elevation, of the shutter of the device of Figs. XXIIIct seq, looking at the'back of said shutter; Fig. XXVIII is an enlargedfragmentary detail view, in top plan, oi the traveling sign-body of Fig.X21111 st 369.; and Fig. XXIX is a fragmentary detail side view, stillfurther enlarged, of thetraveling sign-body of'l igs. XXIII et seq. 4

' Referring, now, in detail to the drawings, and, first, to Figs. 1 toXV thereof: 67 indicates a suitable casing or housing for the operative.parts of the mechanism, which may be of any appropriate or desired shapeand dimensions, according to the exigencies of the particular situation.

1, 1 designate spaced traclcmembcrs, in this instance in the form ofplates, of any suitable shape, in this instance shown substantiallyoblong, with rounded corners, which may ,be suspended, as in a verticalposition, in any suitable manner, preferably by braces 43 secured at oneend to said trackmembers and at the other end to some stationary part.The track-menibers 1, 1, may, also, be held in a position of spacedrelationship in any suitable manner, preferably by horizontal rods 2(any number thereof being employed, as found advisable). Thecircumferential edges of these track-members 1, 1 constitute tracks orguides for circumferentially-grooved wheels or rollers 3, revolublysuspended on shafts or axles 4 supporting, transversely thereof, twoendless, chainlilie gear-racks 5, 5, e'. 6., each of these gear-rackscompri cs sections, units, or links (as shown), each section beingdisposed between two adjacent shafts 4 (as shown), and the sectionsbeing suitably hinged or otherwise jointed together, so as to give tothe racks the requisite flexibility to permit them to revolve around,and to follow the circumferential contour of, the track-members 1, 1 (asshown in" Fig. I). The outer longitudinal edge of each section is formedwith teeth (as shown) constituting a rack. The connection between eachtwo adjac ent sec tions of each gear-rack 5 is an overla' pin joint 5,the teeth of adjacent parts-o said overlapping joint being in alinementwith each other when two or more successive links or units of each ofthe gear-racks 5 are in one plane, 2'. 6., lie in a straight line.Between each T air of said sections or units of gear-race 5, 2'. e.,between each section at one of the gear-racks and the correspondroac esing section of the other geacraclr, and secured to the racks 5, 5, is agrams 6, in which is held, as by clips 7 a tra slucent panel or ane 8,which may bear vai ious advertising egends, theexposure of which,successively in connection with the timed movement of the shutterheieinafter described), is an imortant ob ect of my invention. Eachlraine 6, with its panel 8, constitutes a signunit.

The invention contemplates means for moving the shutter in timedrelation with the movement of successive sign-units, and these meansmay, conceivably, take various forms. But I prefer, that such correlatcd movement 01" the shutter and signunits shall be efiected bylocking the sign-' units to the shutter. While these locking v means maytake various forms, l'prefer to provide co'ciperating locking-mechanismon the shutter and on the sign-units, For instance, thelocking-mechanism on the sign-units may reside in clips 9, each clipbeing carried by one of the frames 6 and projectingnbove the panels 8,which cli s engage successively and intermittently t e coiiperatinglockingmechanism on a vertically-positioned shutter 11 (which is,preferably, a fiat plate, of thin metal), such cooperatinglocking-mechanism comprising, in this instance, a single clip 10 carriedon the inner surface of said shutter and di posed,;preferably,immediately below the shutter aperture 11 which is desirably of the areaof a panel 8. v

The shutter 11 is suitably vertically supported, as by having bent ears11 at the four corners thereof, through which extend,

loosely, two rods 12, 12. Thus, the shutter 11 travels in a verticalplane. only, being vertically reciprocable on said rods 12, 12.

Encircling each rod 12 and disposed between the top corner car throughwhich said rod PlO-jBCiS and between afixed collar 36 on said rod s acoiled spring 35, operating to return the shutter to normal-position,

after downward travel thereof, as hereinafter described.

The shutter-rods 12, held so as to insure rigidity and perpendicularitythereof: In this instance, I show, as a desirable manner, upper andlowersupports 41-, l2, respectively. The braces 43 (see Fig. I especially)may-be secured, at their ends, to said rod-sup cuts 41, 42. Further toinsure rigidity an perpendicularity of the shutter-rods 12, 12, a thin,preferably metallic, plate 44 may be secured to the upper and lowerrod-supports ll, 42, said plate extending the entire length of thelatter. This piate stt hasan opening there 12 may be variously through li which is'larger than the shut-"' and, also, one advertising Lohaoe Ifdesired, suitable means may be provided, as a buffer or V ward throw ofthe shutter 11, under the influence of the springs 35, 35, and, whilethese means may take various forms, I prefer that shown herein, whichcomprises a bridge 37, of suitable material (such as spring metal),advantageously carrying a leather or fiber strip 38 upon its under.surface. The bridge is preferably secured, at its ends, as by screws 40,to cushions 39, which may be rubher or felt compressible blocks, thescrews 40 being tapped into the upper rod-support 41 (all as shown inFig. V) There is, thus, in the buifer-mechanism just hereinabovedescribed, two points of yield-first, in the bridge 37 of springmaterial), and, second, in the rubber cushions 39, 39.

The panels 8 preferably move-in the di-' rection of the arrow in Fig. I,e., they approach the shutter-opening .11 from the top thereof andtravel downward across said opening; so that, immediately upon a panel 8arriving flush with the shutter-opening 11, the outward-projecting lipof its clip 9 impinges against the corresponding inwardprojecting lip ofthe clip 10, whereby the panel becomes temporarily locked to the shutter11, and the shutter, therefore, travels downward simultaneously withsaid panel for a predetermined distance before becom ing disengagedtherefrom. In this manner, each advertising-section is visible for a considerable period, comparatively speaking, section, only, is visible at atime, in contradistinction with customary methods, wherein theadvertisement-strip or body travels across a stationary opening, so thatthe-public sees the full area of the advertisement for a moment or so,only, the remainderof the time the opening int the shutter beingoccupied by parts of two sections or panels of the strip, or else aplurality of panels are fully visible at one time. Various mechanismsmay be utilized to cause the shutterll to become released, at the propertime, from the panel, after having been temporarily locked thereto, ashere inabove described, and, while these mechanisms may, conceivably,take various forms, I prefer thatshown in the drawings, which comprisesthe following instrumentalities:

A rocker-arm 45 carries, on its upper end a pawl or cam 45*, and isrigidly secured, at its lower end, to a rock-shaft 46 journaled formovement in the upturned ends or cars 49 of a bracket 49 secured, as byscrews'50, 50, to the lower rod-support 42. By screwing these screwsfarther in or out, the rockerarm 45 may be raised or lowered, asdesired, so as to effect adjustments in the point of release of theshutter 11. The shaft 46 also carries, rigidly fixed thereto, an arm.47, which, in the normal position of the rockera stop, to limit theupsprings 35, 35, to the buffer or them resumes its normal position, asshown in Fig. V, in position to be engaged by the intermittent movementarm 45, bears lightly against the inner surface of the metallic shutter11; the rockerarm 45, the shaft 46, and the arm 47 being maintained insaid normal position by means of a spring 48. In the normal position ofthe shutter 11, the cam 45 of the rockerarm 45 is somewhat below theclip 10 and the bottom of the shutter-opening 11 and is in the path ofmovement of the wheel 3 of the specific panel 8 to which the shutter 11has been temporarily locked, as aforesaid: Consequently, when a panel 8has been locked to the shutter 11, said panel 8 and the shutter movesimultaneously downward buta short distance before the said wheel 3strikes against the lip of the cam 45, swinging the cam and thearm 45outward, which movement is transmitted, through the shaft 46, to the arm47, which causes the upper end 47 to bear forcibly against the metallicshutter 11, and, consequently, bends or bucklesthe shutter outwardsufliciently to release the clips 9 and 10 from codperative lockingengagement. Thereupon, the shutter 11 flies upward, under the stress ofthe stop 37, and

clip of the next succeeding panel 8.

- It will thus be seen that my invention comprehends, broadly, means foretfecting movement of the shutter 11, timed in-a novel manner inrelationto the movement of the panels 8: While I have shown, as an eiiicientmeans of'so effecting step-by-step or of the shutter 11 simultaneouslywith the movement of the panels, successively, period of the movement ofeach one, successively, in the series of panels, the locking of a panel,at a predetermined moment of and for a predetermined interval duringitstravel, yet this is simply for the sake of illustration, since Irecognize that such timed movement of the shutter with relation tosuccessive panels may be accomplished in other ways, without in any wiselocking the panels to the shutter. My broad idea is, as said, to efi'ectmovement of the shutter intermittently, timed in-relation to themovement of successive panels, to accomplish the object which I have inview, which is to make theadvertisement on each panel visible for alonger period of time than if an immovable or stationary shutter wereemployed, as heretofore.

The actuating mechanism for the panels. The mechanism forelfectingcontinuous movement of the endless series of panels 8 may, obviously, beofmany different constructions; but I prefer .to use the form shown inthe drawings, which I have given as an. example of a simple, convenientand entirely practicable mechanism. Said pre ferred form of mechanism,therefore, will during apredetermined now he described, as itoiiowsMflhiflilt is given to the series of paneislh hyrncans cit-a pair otsolenoids 13,,"13, supported in any desired manner, as at the bottom, byan iron olre 14:, which, in turn, may be supported y the brackets 15, 15secured to the plates 1, 1; A bracket 16 serves as the top support forthe solenoids 13, 13, and is secured to the plates 1, 1.

10 Secured is a pair of cores 17 extending part way up through thesolenoids 13, 13, and topped by may be secured to the stationary yoke14.

To the dash-pot'end of the plunger-arm 21 may be secured a fibrousWasher 25, whose circumferential edge, turns or curves upward (as shownin detail in Fig. XII).

Extending upward from the bottom of the plunger-arm 21 and runninglengthwise and interiorly of said arm for a suitable distance is adrill-hole 26, communicating, at its upper end, with a hole 27 extendingtransversely through the arm at a' suitable point above the washer inoperation, it will be noted that this peculiar structure permits a rapiddown-thrust (While current is being used) and. a slow return, due to theescape, at the circumferential edge of the washer 25, of the liquid onthe down-thrust and the comparatively slight escape through the Ychannels 26, 27,0nly, on the rip-thrust.

To the outenends of the movable yoke 20 are pirotally secured thedepending upper ends o't arms 28, the lower ends whereof are pivotallysecured to :1 rod which, in turn,

- is pirotally connected to arms 31, 31 pivot ally connected to apinioushaft 30, rigidly carrying a pair of pinions 34 spaced properly soas to mesh normally each-with its appropriate rack 5. It will be notedthat, owing to the close fit of the movable solenoid-oores 19, 19 in thesolenoids 13, 13, the yoke 20 can only have a straight lip-and- (lOWIhOI strictly vertical, movement, and that the rod 29 swings only in anarc about the pinion-shaft- 30. v Carried by the movabie rod 29 are apair 0t, rigid'pawls 32, 32, which, bytheir springs 80 77, are adapted,on the down-stroke, to engage the ratchct-wheels 33 rigidly carried bythe pinion-shaft 30, revolubly supported in the brackets, .15, 15.

The invention comprehends means to ener- 66 gize the solenoids 13,13,.at the proper times rigidly to the stationary yoke l ,efticientmechanism. A. commutator, consish 1H0 lai ed from each other and ,fiomthe rest of the nuwhdnc, is mounted on one end of the inciose i in a.brushholder 5 1,- which is mounted on and insulated from the commu- 545in the hrushholder 54: maintains the brush always in contact with one orboth of commutator-segments 51, 52, prevent the brush moving ofi' saidsegments, and thus, when necessary, serve to confine the whole solenoidmovement within the limits pre- Figt XIV) the shorter arm 55 having aslot 57 at its end, in which works a pin 61 on the Inits of a certainamount of lost motion, in either direction, before the commutator-arm 55is caused to respond and throw the carbon brush 53 over onto another ofthe commutator segments 51 or- 52. By introducing this lost motion, orplay, into the operation rent is made and broken at a maximum lows agood conducting brush-surface. or total non-conducting surface for amaximum period; in short"; it gives a quick break to the solenoidcurrent and quick make. Further to insure a minimum of sparking at thebrush 53, a non-inductive resistance 58, shown in the drawingassanincandescent shown in Figa VH1.

The electrical operation is as follows: The current entering thesolenoids 13, 13 through the brush 53 and commutator-seg ment 52 ismaintained until the solenoid movable cores 19, 19 have been drawn downa distance that will permit the pawis 32 upon rising to engage in atleast one-tooth higher on the ratchets 33. Before this point is reached,the throw of the solenoids will have taken up the lost motion in theslot 57 and have caused the brush 53 to slide over so as to bridge thesegments 51 and 52,

continuing in its motion toward the segsegment 52, at the same timebreaking t e non-inductive resistance circuit 58. At this point, theratchet-pawls 32 will be at their lowest position; and the are which iscaused by breaking the hi hly inductive solenoid circuit. 13 1s eonsiorahly lwsened, owing of two segments 51, 52, properly insuuppersolenoid-support 16. A brush '53 is tating arm 55, which is pivotallymounted, at its lower end, on the shaft 30. A spring,

scribed by the spacing of the two clips 56*, 56 (or width of the segmentsurface). A commutating lever-arm 55 is L-shaped (sec of the commutatingarm, the solenoid curlamp, may be connected, when necessary, as r andthe following is "given as an cx arnple'ot the commutator-segments 51 or52; and ex-- tensions of clips 56, 5.6, which hold the arm 31. Thispin-and-slot arrangement perspeed, thus shortening any sparking-at thebrush 53 and segments51, '52, and, also, al

ment 51 breaks the solenoid circuit throu h I v to the non-inductiveresistance 58 being comparatively a short circuit for the solenoid, ascompared with the air-gap that the induced current must jump in arcingfrom the brush 53 to the contact 52. Co-nse' quently, the inducedsolenoid current, in stead of forming an objectionable arc when broken,discharges through the non-inductive resistance 58. Withsmall'solenoids, or where alternating currents are used, thenon-inductive resistance may be dispensed with. As another means oflessening the spark, a condenser (not showh) may be connected, with theresistance 58 omitted, across the contacts 51, 52. Thus, by well knownlaws of physics, the condenser will absorb the discharge current fromthe solenoids. The current being broken in the solenoids 13, 13, themovable parts are now lifted slowly by the dash-pot spring 22 until,the. lost motion inthe slot 57 again being taken up and the brush 53being moved over onto the. contact 52, the current again enters thesolenoids 13, 13, to energize them, and the previous operation isrepeated. From this,

it is evident that almost the full energy of' the solenoids isgiven tomoving the panelsystem and overcoming the upward thrust of the weakspring 22, and the currentoff period is increased, owing to the slowreturn feature of the dash-pot; consequently, with no dash-pot load onthe sole-- noids, when the current is on a smaller pair of solenoids andless current will suffice.

Where fire-underwriters rules require that the switching apparatus beinclosed, a fireproof insulating box will be made to inclose the upperend of the brush 53 and the segments 51, 52; but the construction isnotshown. as this would obscure parts essential to the working oftheapparatus.

The illumination of the panels, when required, is accomplished by meansof the lamp or lamps 62, whose light is intensified by a reflectingmetallic (or other material) lining 63, which is preferably. used, and?which incloses the lamps on top, back and bottom (as shown in Fig. I).The advantage of this lining, furthermore, is that it protects thepanels over the lamps ,trom excessive heat, the airin the apparatus being allowed to circulate by entering through bot-tom openings 64, 64 inthe plates 1, 1 and leaving, when heated, at the top openings 65, 65 insaid plates. For the same pur pose, apertures 66 are provided in theouter. casing '67, at the top and bottom, as shown in Fig. I.

To give even illumination to the panel being exposed by the shutter. 11,a plate of ground glass 68 is preferably used, and is placed between thelamps 62 and [the panels '8, toward theshutter side Off the machine orapparatus.

In Figs, XIV and XV, I have shown a rotary motor 60 and its connectionsto the panel-system to drive the latter. The preferable construction,where a rotary motor 60 is used, is as follows: The motor-shaft 71carries a worm. (9, which meshes .with a worm-gear rigidly carried by acountershaft 72, also carrying rigidly a pulley 73, which, by a belt "74guided by idlers 75,

passes around-and thus revolves a pulley.

62 for starting, and, when speed is increased and the switch then thrownover onto the other contacts, to place the motor 60 in parallel with thelamps 62, thereby giving both the motor 60 and the lamps 62 the fullvoltage of the line. The motors may, of course, be started in thecommercial way when they are of a size to warrant the use .of theexternal resistances, or other auxiliary apparatus.

.An important modification of my invention is shown in Figs. XVI toXXII, which show' what I term my cylinder-type machine Essentially, thismodification com: prehends the following aggroupment of elements: A pairof annular plates 1, 1 are disposed in preferably a horizontal positionand are spaced or separated by any suitable means, such as the verticalrods 2, prefer ably disposed at equal distances at or near the peripheryof the plates. Said plates are rigidly carried by a revolubly-mountedcentral shaft 3 mounted in bearings, at its upper end, in the to plate,or top, 42 of the outer casing 4', an at its lower end, in a suitable-support, such as a brace 5 secured to the cylindrical-shaped side ofthe outer jcasing 4, which is provided with the pair of diametricallyoppositely disposed openings 4*, 4 in said cylindrical-shaped side. Theshutter in this cylinder-type machine is a device which may give asingle or multi- ?ple exposure (in the drawings, a two-exposure typemachine is shown) and it comprises a cylindrical-shaped body portion 6,

atop 6, and a bottom 6, the shaft 3 projecting loosely through said topand bottom. Said shutter has, in its body-portion, shutte'r-openings 66, (in this instance, two, disposed diametrically opposite each other),and eachwo'f less width than either one of the outer casing openings 4(see Fig.- XIX), but of the exact area of an advertising-panel,

. band or strip--19? v(iuithis,instance, cloth is drill wherebyltopermit, as in t heihdsic model or type of; machine, but asinglef'iidvcrtlsingsection or. panel to be exposed at a time.

.Unnecessery parts of. the shutter are cutaway, to reduce weight, and'topermit .access of brushes 7? toslipfrings 8, which sup ly current tothe; interior, revolving cylind e lights 9 78112: advertising-sections,in this cylinder-type "of mechinc are, preferably," com rehended by'translucent, endless;

shown), and an, advertising-section or advertising-unit, or unit ofadvertising-space on said cloth, comprisesthe area of saidcloth betweenany two adjacent rods 2, the width between any adjacent two of said rodsbeing that of the shutter-aperture 6 (as shown clearly in Fig. XIX).

A coiledspring- 11, oneend thereof secured to the top 6 ofthe shutterand the other end to the topd" of the outerstationsiveadvertising-sections of the band 10?,1n2iy be accomplished in variousways; butlprefer the means shown in the drawing, which will now bedescribed. I

A leaf-spring 14's is secured, at one end thereof, to the upper surfaceof the top fi of the shutter and, at its other end, is bent upward toform a horizontalv toe 14;; and, intermediete of the ends, said springcarries &- dependingpin 13,'projecting through the top 6 and adaptedtoenter an one of the holes 15 arrangcd in an annu ar series in the topplate 1. In operation, the pin 13- eugages the proper o suing 15 andlocks the shutter to the revo ving advertising-band carrier orcarriages!) thata section of said advertising-baud is exposed: throughthe shutter-opening 6 throughout the entire length of. the outer-casinwhen the shutter has thus ollowed said advertising section to the pointwhere it should return to engage the shutter again for the next section,a cam 16, carried iuteriorly of the outer cylindrical casing 49 engagesthe lip or toe 14 and thus lifts the spring 14c" and, thus, the toe 13fout of the opening 15 whereupon the spring *11 immediately "return.;;,the shutter to normal position, when the pin 13? engages in thesucceeding hole 15, corresponding to the next panel or sec tionotj-the-strip 1'0, and the operation is repeat-ed,

v"ills actua ng-mechanism tor the band or udim viiisiteg strip 10 may.coriiprise any desired unrengement and asicnihlege oi ele-i ments; butthe preferred; means are as follows: A motor 17 carries on-themotor-shatta worm 18 engaging or meshing with a wormsgear 19f rigidlycarried on a shaft 2l, which.also carries fast thereon a pinion,20e,'meshing with an annular rack 22 car- Iried fast on the shaft S-toWsrd the lower end thereof. The base oftlie. machine may,

. als.o, be usedfor the display .of anon-change- The object of thedouble-openings 6 in -tl1e shutter and the corresponding double openings4 in the outer shell 4: is that, "when the device is placed above aside-walk in front of a building, double eiliciency may be secured, forthe sign can be read in two directions, namely, from up or down thestreet.

When exposed to the weather, clear glass windows (not shown) may heprovided at the shutter openings.

- A still further modification is shown in Figs. XXIII to XXIX of thedrawings. In this form, the advertisingstrip may comprise a strip oftranslucent inateriel'l such as cloth, specially tough paper, perchment, or the like, which is sewn, glued, cemented, or otherwisefastened,on each oi its longitudinal edges, between paired strips ofleather 2, rubber, or other flexible ma-. terial, disposedlongitudinally of the strip- 1; the ends of the strips 1 and 2 being 4fastened or secured together so as to form an endless belt, on whichtheadvertising legends may be marked or placed. Rods 3 are placedtransversely of the strip 1,? and are run through or between thetwd strips 2 of each pair thereof, so as to project ,thereheyond. The belt,so formed, travels over rollers 4 the ends of the rods 3" moving in apair of grooves 6 cut one in each side of the outer casing '5", providedat one end with an aperture 5, through which the advertising panels arevisible. The grooves 6 serve as guides for the strip or advertisingbelt,and prevent sagging between the rollers 4", and also serve to deflectthe rods 3* so as/to be released iircm shutter-projeclt-io'ns 7" whenthe shutter 8"has been pulled down to a point where it should hereleased from the panel it is following, andreturn to engage with thenext panel. By the, term advertising-panel or panel is :meent. the areaof theadvertising-belt comprised between any two adjacent, spaced rods 3The projections 7? are, carried by the shut terB. and are disposedingthepath oitruo're- I merit of the rods-3, ee.. rnat esc rodsuc; y

cessively impinges the projections thus moves the shutter downward witheach advertising-panel, thereby exposing, through the shutter-opening 8(which is of the same area as an advertising-panel, but of considerablyless vertical measurement than the opening 5 the entire area of anadvertising-panel, and but one advertising panel at a time, throughoutthe entire length of the opening 5. The shutter 8 is suspended andguided for movement in a straight vertical line by any suitable means;preferably, the shutter is guided by the guide-strips 9 carried by theouter casing 5*, and is suspended by a shade-roller device, which windsor unwinds, at the top and bottom, a flexible, opaque screen 10", towhich the shutter proper 8 is secured. The screen 10 is maintained underproper tension by the springs 12, which, by cords l3 running overidlerpu1leys l land wound around and fastened to the shafts 15 of drums11 upon which the screen 10 windsprefer that shown in the drawings,which will now be described, as follows: A worm 17? on the shaft of amotor 16* meshes with a worm-gear 18". fast on one of the shafts 19carrying one pair of the rollers 4 Tapering, spaced pegs 2O on the treadof said rollers 43 engage in corresponding, spaced holes 2% in the sidestrips 2". The pegs 20 in the other rollers a are used, when necessary,to prevent frictional wear on the advertising-belt, also to serve tokeep the side strips 2 properly spaced, where the nature of the materialof the strip 1"" would tend to cause an uneyen rotation of the strip 1.

Lamps 21 are provided, to give illumination to the strip when the signis used at night; and the ground glass pane 22F, properly supported, asby clips 23* secured to the sides of the casing 5", may be used, todifiuse the light of. the lamps 21 so as to produce a very nearly evendistribution of the light as seen through the opening in the shutter 8and the corresponding opening in the case 5*. I

From the above description, taken in connection with the drawings, themany advantages of 'my invention will be obvious, especially to thoseskilled in the art to which the invention pertains. The opera tion ofall forms of the invention 18 clear from the preceding description,rendering superfluous an elaborate detailed analysis of the operation.

As said, the principal idea in my invention, which is common to thepreferred and to all modified forms, is to utilize a movable shutter,instead of a stationary shutter, as heretofore provided, and to time themovement of the shutter relative to the movement of the respectiveadvertising panels, whereby each advertising panel,

tion presents many other desirable feat'ures,.

all of which have been explained, supra.

I ani aware thatit is possible to. deviate, in details, from the preciseconstructions herein shown; but it is to be understood that allmodifications and changes as come within the terms of the appendedclaims constitute no departure from the spirit of my invention, and comestrictly within the scope and purview thereof.

\Vhile I prefer to use the mechanical means, hereinbefore described, forcausing release of the cooperating lockingmechanism carried by thepanel-system and by theshutter,

yet it is possible to dispensewith such means,

inasmuch as the pitch of thefcurved cornersof the plates 1, 1 could beso adjusted with reference to the shutter-opening that the panels inrounding said curved corners and in thus moving away from the shutterwould carry the panel-projections 9 outof engagement with theshutter-projection 10, as is obvious.

The device comprehended by my invention in all ts forms may find a veryuseful and valuable application in connection with theaters and hotels,etc, as it can be mounted in an empty box-oflice window, or in a recessin the walls of, say, a theater-or hotellobby, for the purpose ofadvertising and giving information concerning current or comingtheatrical attractions, lectures, etc. Of course, when my device orapparatus is disposed in a box-oilice window, or in a recess made, inthe wall of a theater-lobby, or the like, the usual casing (whichcustomarily surrounds the working parts of my apparatus when saidworkingparts are used in a Situation where they would, if said casingwere not used. b exposed to view,) would be omitted, as unnecessary,-thebox-office win-' dow, or the recess excavated in thewallsfof atheatrdobby, or the l ke, taking theplaceof said casing; the walls ofsaid excavation or box-otfice window concealing said working parts fromview, excepting at the front, which would be open, of course, and whichopen front would correspond with the usual casing'aperture coiiperatingwith the shutter-aperture.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim'as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is:'

1. In a changeable exhibitor, the combinetion with an outer casinghaving an aperture, of a traveling sign-mechanism disposed within saidcasing, and an intermittentlymovable shutter also dispcsed in saidcasing and having a relatively smaller aperture for exposingsaidsign-mechanism;

2. In a changeable exhibitor, the combination with an outer. casinghaving an aperture, of a traveling sign-mechanism disposed within saidcasing, an intermittently mov able shutter also disposed in said casingand having a relatively smaller aperture for ex osing saidsign-mechanism, means for morvmg said shutter in one direction, andmeans for returning said shutter to normal position after each movementthereof.

3. In a changeable exhibitor, the combination with an outer casinghaving an aperture, of a traveling sign-mechanism disposed within saidcasing, an intermittently-movable shutter also disposed in said casingand having a relatively smaller aperture forenposlng saids1gn-mechan1sm,and electr callycontrolled means for effecting suchmovement of the shutter.

4'. In a'changeeble exhibitor, the combination with an outer-casinghaving an aper: ture, of a traveling sign-mechanism disposed gether saidsign-mechanism and said shutter during predetermined intervals, so thatand movable means for automatically rethey travel together during suchintervals. 5. In a changeable exhibitor, a movable sign-mechanism, anintermittently-movable shutter, cooperative locking means carried by.said sign-mechanism and said shutter;

and. movable means for automatically releasing said locking-mechanismsfrom coopera tive relation, at. redetermined times, including: a mova bld member in the path of movement of said sign-mechanism, and movablemechanism bearing against said shutter and actuated by the movement ofsaid movable member.

6. In a changeable exhibit-or, a movable sign-mechanism, anintermittently movable shutter, cotiperative locking means carried bysaid sign-mechanism and said shutter;

leasing said locking-mechanisms from cooperative relation, atpredetermined times, including: a movable member in the path of movementof said sign-mechanism, and mov able mechanism, including a member bearingv against said shutter, actuated by the movement of said movablemember.

7. In a changeable exhibitor, a movable sign-mechanism, anintermittently-movable shutter, cooperative locking means carried bysaid sign-mechanism and said shutter; and movable means forautomatically releas ing said locking-mechanisms from cooperativerelation, at predetermined times, ineluding: a movable member in thepath of movement of said sign-mechanism, and movable mechanism,including an arm bearing against said shutter, actuated by the move mentof said movable member;

8. .ln a changeable exhibitor, a movable sign-mechanism, anintermittently-movable shutter, coiiperativelooking means carried "bysaid signmechanism and said shutter, and means,including a rockererm inthe ath of movement of said sign-mechanism,

or automatically releasing said lockingmechanisms from coiiperativerelation, at predetermined times.

9. In a changeable exhibitor, a movable sign-mechanism, anintermittently-movable shutter, coiiperative locking means carried bysaid sign-mechanism and said. shutter;-

and movable means for-automatically releasmg said locking mechanismsfrom coiiperatlve relation, at predetermined times, comprehending: amovable member in the path of movement of said sign-mechanism, a

rock-shaft to' which said movable member is secured, and an arm alsosecured. to said roelnshaft and bearing agalnst said shutter.

19. In a changeable exhibitor, a movable shutter, cotiperative lockingmeans carried by said sign-mechanism and said shutter; and movable meansfor automaticallyreleas ing said locking-mechanisms from cotiperativerelation, at predetermined times, cclmprehending: a movable member inthe path of movement of said signmechanism, a rockshaft to which saidmovable member is secured, an arm also secured to said rockshaftandbearing against said shutter, and

50 gears meshing with 55 gears, to move the latter and sign-mechanism,incliiding a rack, a shutter intermittently movable while thesign-mechanismis moving, and electricallycontrolled mechanism, includingmeans engaging saidrack, for eifecting movement of said sign- 1 0mechanism.

0 13,. In a changeableexhibitor, a movable sngn-mechanism, comprising aseries of frames, a series of advertising-panels carried by said-frames,and racks operatively associated with said frames; a shutterintermittently movable while the sign-mechanism is moving; andelectrically-controlled mechanism, including means engaging saidracks,

for eiiecting movement of said sign-mecha- 14. In a changeableexhibitor, a'movable sign-mechanism, comprising a series of frames, 21series of advertising-panels carried by said frames, and a pair ofracks, each of 325 said racks being formed of sections loosely jointedtogether, and each section being secured to one of said frames; ashutter intermittently movable While the sign-mechanism is moving; andelectrically-contro-lled mechanism, including means engaging said racks,

for effecting anism. I

15. In a changeable exhibitor, a movable, wheeled sign-mechanism,comprising a series movement of said sign-meek of frames, a series ofadvertisingpanels carand a pair of racks,

ried by said frames, each of said racks being formed of sections looselyjoint-ed together, and each section being secured to one of said frames;a shut- .40 ter intermittently movable While the signmechanism ismoving; and electrically-controlled mechanism, including means engagingsaid racks, for effecting movement of said sign-mechanism.

16. In a changeable exhibitor, a traveling sign-mechanism, a shutterintermittently movable while the sign-mechanism is moving, racksoperatively associated and movable with said sign-mechanism, drivingsaidracks, a pair of solenoids having movable cores operable when thesolenoids are energized, and mech anism intermediate of and operativelycon- ,nected with said cores and said drivingthus the racks andsign-mechanism, when the solenoids are energized. s

17. In a changeable exhibitor, a traveling sign-mechanism, a shutterintermittently 6Q movable while the sign-mechanism is movwith saidracks, a pair of shutter, coiiperative locking when the solenoids areenergize-d, mechaenergized, and means for returning saidcores and saidintermediate mechanism to normal position upon said solenoids becomingdenergized.

18. In a changeable exhibitor, a traveling sign-mechanism, a shutterintermittently movable while the sign-mechanism is mov ing, racksoperativelyassociated and movable with said sign-mechanism, gearsmeshing with said racks, a pair of solenoids having movable coresoperable when the solenoids are energized, mechanism intermediate ofand. operatively connected with said coresand saiddrivinggears to movethe latter and thus the racks and sign-mechanism, when the solenoids areenergized, and spring means for returning said cores and saidintermediate mechanism to normal position upon said solenoids becomingde nergized;

19. In a changeable exhibitor, a traveling sign-mechanism, a shutterintermittently movable While the sign-mechanism is moving, racksoperatively associated and movable with said sign-mechanism, gearsmeshing with said racks, solenoids having movable cores when thesolenoids are energized, mecha-I nism intermediate of and operatively"connected with said cores and said drivinggears, to move the latter andthus the racks and sign-mechanism, when the solenoids/are energized, andautomatically operating mechanism for effecting continuous make andbreak of the current through said solenoids.

20. In a changeable exhibitor, a movable sign-mechanism, anintermittently-movable shutter, and coiiperative locking means carriedby said sign-mechanism and said shutter.

21. In, a changeable exhibitor, a movable sign-mechanism, anintermittently-movable shutter, cooperative locking means carried bysaid Si m-mechanism and said shatter and means; for automaticallyreleasing said locking-mechanism fromcooperative relation, atpredetermined times.

22. In a changeable exhibitor, a movable sign-mechanism, anintermittently-movable shutter, a series of separate locking memberscarried by 'Siild signlmecnamsm, and ce'op erative locking-means carriedby said shutter, whereby said sign-mechanism and said shutter travelsimultaneously together predeterminedtimes.

. 23. In a changeable exhibitor, a movable sign-mechanism, anintermittently-movabie drivingdrivinga pair of J operable means carriedIlla.

by said sign-mechanism and said shutter, and means, including a movablemember in the path of movement of said sign-mechanism, for automaticallyreleasing said locking-mechanisms from cooperative relation atpredetermined times.-

24. In a changeable exhibitor, the combi-' nation with an outer casinghaving an aperture, of a traveling sign-mechanism disposed Within saidcasing, an intermittentlymovable shutter also disposed in said casingand having a relatively smaller aperture for exposing saidsign-mechanism, and automatic means for efiecting movement of saidshutter.

25. In a changeable exhibitor, the combination with an outer casinghaving an aperture, of a traveling sign-mechanism disposed Within saidcasing, an intermittently-movable shutter also disposed in said casingand osaoea having a relatively smaller aperture for ex posing saidsign-mechanism, and automatic means for effecting movement of saidsignmechanism and shutter..

26. The combination With a traveling sign-mechanism, of anintermittentlymov able shutter disposed in front of said signmechanismand having an aperture for exposing said sign-mechanism, and a memberdisposed in frontof said shutter and havingvv a relatively largeraperture cooperating with said shutter-aperture for exposing saidsign-mechanism.

In testlmony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each,by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

